FAQ

WHY BOWEL CANCER AUSTRALIA?

Bowel Cancer Australia is the leading community-funded charity dedicated to helping to save lives and to improving the health and wellbeing of people living with bowel cancer.

The World Health Organisation has classified red meat – including, beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse, and goat – as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. WHO found an even stronger link between processed meat – salami and hotdogs, for example – and bowel cancer. Studies show bowel cancer risk increases by 17% per 100g of red meat consumed per day and that bowel cancer risk increases by 18% per 50g of processed meat consumed per day.

Going meat free for a week is a great way to get people thinking about the amount of meat they eat, and provides an opportunity for participants to try menu ideas which may reduce bowel cancer risk.

IS MEAT FREE WEEK TRYING TO CONVERT ME TO BEING VEGETARIAN?

Meat Free Week is a health awareness and fundraising campaign designed to provide participants with information and resources to assist them in making healthy choices while raising money for a great cause. Eating meat isn’t bad, but eating too much has the potential for increased harm. Going meat free for one week creates a great opportunity to get people thinking about how much meat they eat and the impact eating too much meat may have.

WHAT IF I CAN’T GO A WHOLE WEEK WITHOUT MEAT?

If you missed the start of Meat Free Week, or don’t think you can manage a whole week, we encourage you to try a Meat Free Week-end on the September 23rd and 24th, or help us by beginning your week with a Meat Free Monday on September 18th.

WHAT IF I DON’T REACH MY FUNDRAISING GOAL?

That’s fine. Every little bit counts, so just try your best, feel good about the Challenge and keep motivated.

WHAT IF I’M ALREADY LIVING MEAT FREE?

If you're already living meat free, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved - recruit or sponsor a meat-eating friend, make a donation or check out our other ideas here.

ARE DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

Bowel Cancer Australia is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity and endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I'M NOT WITHIN AUSTRALIA?

Meat Free Week was founded in Australia in 2013, expanding to launch in the UK in 2015 and New Zealand in 2017. Meat Free Week is very lucky to have fabulous support all around the world. If you’re not within Australia we encourage you to take the Meat Free Week International challenge. Sign up to support one of our international charity partners or celebrate the completion of your Meat Free Week challenge by making a donation to a cause of your choice.

Bowel Cancer Australia does not itself undertake any medical research, including laboratory research involving animals.

The charity provides research grants to external organisations, such as research centres, universities and hospitals that undertake research in the area of bowel cancer.

Previously funded bowel cancer research has included behavioural projects that look at consumer attitudes, patient experiences and health professional training, as well as medical research involving human subjects.

Funds raised through Meat Free Week assist the charity to expand its bowel cancer prevention programs - providing practical resources and educating the community about steps they can take to help reduce their bowel cancer risk, including a healthy diet and lifestyle.